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Savoring what is…

The good life—the one that truly satisfies—exists only when we stop wanting a better one. That’s Philosophy 101 according to Chuck Swindoll in “Insights for Living.”

His statement resonated with me today as I continue to pare down my belongings and downsize for the next chapter of living. This is one of those milestone years for the class of ‘65 which is also turning 65 and many of us are rethinking our daily living.

The baby boomers, long known as master acquirers, are now learning a new skill: getting rid of excess stuff and it’s a monumental task.

All those gazkinka pins and gadgets we thought we had to have didn’t add one iota to the quality of our lives, but we never suspected that we would eventually resent their presence as they mysteriously turned into “junk.”

Heck, most folks don’t even use their garages any longer because they are filled with stuff they don’t know what to do with.

“The lust for more – so brilliantly injected by those who peddle them – is a virus draining our souls of happy contentment,” suggests Swindoll.

Savoring what is, rather than longing for what might be, may be the answer to finding true peace and contentment. Satisfaction comes when we step off the escalator of desire and say, "This is enough. What I have will do.”

5 thoughts on “Savoring what is…”

Great words of wisdom. Now that I am in a wheelchair full time, I realize that all those collections of dishes, pots, pans, and “stuff” in the top of my kitchen cabinets are of little use to me. So I am having some of my neighbors, the tall ones, to help me take things out little by little and pack things up and label them.
Some will be for daughter to use for her “nice” company, Some will go to neighbors, and other things will go to the Salvation Army. It is such a great feeling to know that I can make any meal and entertain any guest from my
3 bottom cabinets.

Oh my goodness! Just what we are trying to do this moment. Just sold our Starkville house after 30 years, 2 children, lots of memories and lots of stuff! When the movers brought everything out of our 3 attics, we marveled at 28 yr old children’s drawings, kindergarten spelling worksheets, even science fair projects…saved for who? It was hard but we tossed it all and hauled a load to salvation army..mainly clothing, kitchen extras, etc! I do not think of us as being hoarders, but maybe we are close! Finding an outlet for the good things we do not need, but can’t give away…is hard! Any ideas?

Lordy Emily how do you read my mind. Just today I put on my work clothes and kept saying ” I am headed out to the shed to finally finish unpacking my stuff” and here I sit reading your column ! I just find it so hard to get rid of any of Mama’s things, yet if I am going to move my things in, I have to either get rid of hers or mine and I can’t do it!!! So I put it off every day! Someone said the other day what are you going to do with 10 of those little Christmas trees. See Mama had several and so did I. I said”Ummm I love the glow of a tree in every room of the house” 🙂